Redknapp questions FA over Rooney appeal

Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp has joined Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish in criticising the Football Association over their successful appeal to get Wayne Rooney's Euro 2012 ban reduced.

Written by Agence-France Presse

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Tottenham Hotspur manager Harry Redknapp has joined Liverpool boss Kenny Dalglish in criticising the Football Association over their successful appeal to get Wayne Rooney's Euro 2012 ban reduced.

Redknapp believes the FA, English football's governing body, are guilty of double standards after Rooney's ban was cut from three matches to two after he was sent off for kicking out at Montenegro's Miodrag Dzudovic during England's final qualifier in October.

The Manchester United forward had his punishment reduced at a hearing at UEFA's Nyon headquarters in Switzerland on Thursday.

Redknapp, the leading home grown candidate to succeed Fabio Capello as England manager, said the FA, responsible for disciplinary matters in England, had left itself open to charges of hypocrisy.

"In all honesty it was a three-match ban for violent conduct," Redknapp said here on Friday.

"You can look at it and say it wasn't that violent, but it doesn't matter. If you cuff someone, you get a three-match ban. Those are the rules.

"If you appealed it (domestically), it would be a frivolous appeal and you would probably get four games if you went to the FA."

Redknapp said the FA now faced the prospect of numerous appeals against three-game suspensions.

"For them to get it from three to two, it opens up a can of worms," he said.

"There will be clubs appealing against bans and they will want to know why they aren't getting it cut from three to two for similar situations."

"From England's point of view, I'm pleased to see him get two because he's that important to England, but in all honesty, the rules are supposed to be the rules and they have not been adhered to in this situation."

Redknapp's comments followed those of Dalglish, with the Anfield great saying the FA had failed to give the right lead by appealing Rooney's ban.

"The FA are supposed to be setting an example for things yet they appeal against Wayne Rooney's three-match ban," Dalglish said Thursday. "I don't think that's a good example to set."

However, FA chairman David Bernstein defended his organisation against claims of double standards.

"It is important that people understand that amongst the many duties of The FA we have responsibility for the England team and also, separately, to oversee the domestic game's regulatory function," Bernstein said Friday.

"Our philosophy for the national team is clear. We will run this along the same lines and with the same focus and commitment as any football club in this country. Our fans would expect no less.

"This is simply what we have sought to achieve in reducing Wayne Rooney's suspension. I am very pleased that we have been successful in this appeal.

At least one Premier League manager, however, backed the FA, with Wolves' boss Mick McCarthy saying: "If they are entitled to appeal, good luck to them. I hope I have as much success if I decide to appeal about something to our FA."